Marian Rockwood Johnson

Marian Rockwood Johnson, our beloved Matriarch, passed away on the fifth of May, 2016, at her home on Harrison Avenue where she lived for 69 years. She was born March 28th, 1921, in Salt Lake City, to Julius Apollos Rockwood and Mary Ellen Hill, the youngest child of a large, boisterous and happy family.

She graduated from East High school, and from the University of Utah where she earned a degree in business, an unusual fete in the 1940′s, and where she affiliated with Delta Gamma Sorority.

On August 19th, 1942, Marian married her first love, Ray Clawson Johnson, in the Salt Lake temple. World War II dictated the circumstances of their early life and the couple moved, with their first child, to California where Ray was stationed with the Army.

After the war they made their home in Salt Lake City, where Ray helped found Maxfield’s Candy Company, while Marian cared for her ailing mother and raised four children.

An energetic, accomplished, and elegant lady, Marian infused her refined sense of taste and style into every endeavor, whether it was decorating a table, arranging flowers, planting her garden, piecing a quilt or sewing a dress. She especially enjoyed creating classy ensembles to wear to monthly outings at the Bonneville Dance Club at the old Hotel Utah, where she saved only one dance, the very last one, for her husband because, in her words, “He wasn’t exactly light on his feet.” She often said, “We lived in the best time.”

Marian was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served a mission with her husband, who presided over the Norway, Oslo mission from 1969 to 1972. Learning another language in her late forties proved challenging, but she was determined to deliver her addresses from the pulpit in Norwegian. She and Ray cultivated life-long friendships with the people there, and all things “Norwegian” became a hallmark of the Johnson family culture.

Among many other church callings, Marian served on the Relief Society general board, where she shared her creative talents, and authored a book on homemaking skills that is still in use today. On making a lovely home she used to say, “You can never have too many dishes or tablecloths.”

Ever a socialite, Marian valued people and parties. She belonged, for 70 years, to “Long Ago Gleaners” (LAGS), vintage bridge groups, and through the years participated in multiple dinner clubs hosted by caring friends.

Proud of her pioneer heritage, Marian was the Rockwood family historian and enjoyed documenting the lives of her relatives. As many of her ancestors settled Sugarhouse, she had an affinity for the area and its history, and in her later years championed the burgeoning arts community there, working to ensure artists had a pleasant environment for their creative pursuits.

Her family members will fondly remember the quilts and costumes Grandma Marian made for them, the creamed cauliflower she brought to gatherings, the lively annual Christmas party she hosted, and the sleep-overs, when Grandma, the quintessential night owl, wore out the grandchildren playing Rummikub, and watching old classic movies.

More important, they’ll remember her gift for making each grandchild feel as if he or she was Grandma’s favorite, and will never forget her exemplary love in caring for Ray, who suffered for many years with Alzheimer’s disease.

Marian was preceded in death by her parents, 11 siblings, her husband, Ray Johnson, and their infant daughter, Lynda. She is survived by her daughters Julie (David Monson), and Janet (Richard Tanner – currently presiding in the Philippines, Cebu East Mission), and sons James (Laurie Grant), and David (Kimberly Allsop), 21 grandchildren, and 38 great grandchildren.

A viewing will be held Tuesday evening, May10th, from 6:30 to 8:00 at the Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary on 2350 East and 1300 South. Friends may also call Wednesday morning, May 11th, from 9:30 to 10:30 at the Colonial Hills Ward on 1455 East and 1700 South. Funeral services begin at 11:00 a.m.